A Volunteer's Volunteer Has Info To Share

One Good Turn

Eager to help out his son's eighth-grade science class, Darrel Falls of Toano eagerly volunteered to talk to them about hydraulics.

The request for volunteer speakers came several months ago and Falls knew he could handle the task. But then February rolled around and teacher Karen Nester was ready to schedule the presentation.

That's when it hit Falls that he wasn't as up to speed on the subject as he thought. He needed to get some help, and he needed to get it fast. So Falls set out to find someone knowledgeable on the subject -- someone who could help him get the information he needed.

Through contacts at Newport News Shipbuilding, Falls hit pay dirt. He was directed to Larry Turner in Department E-54. Well, readers, it just so happens that Turner is an expert in shipboard hydraulics.

"When I asked Larry if he had any material and hands-on demonstrations relative to hydraulics, he immediately answered that he had some," Falls said. "And while he had not used them in some time, he thought he could find them pretty quickly."

Turner was willing not only to show Falls the material but to also brief him on the information so he would be prepared for his upcoming presentation at Toano Middle School.

When Falls explained why he needed the information, he said it seemed to pique Turner's interest. It also opened the door for Falls to ask Turner if he would consider speaking to the class himself.

Without hesitating, Turner answered yes.

Turner spoke to the class last month, but he didn't stop there. He spoke to ALL of Nester's science classes, and he used his own vacation time to do it.

"What strikes me as unusual about this whole issue is that Larry Turner so readily gave up his time to come to a school where he does not have children to help with presenting material to these children," Falls said. "He seemed genuinely interested in the students and spent time answering questions for them."

Turner also answered students' questions about the shipyard.

"Larry was truly a good neighbor doing 'One Good Turn' for someone else," Falls said.

"To me, finding someone like Larry, who was willing to go the extra step, was a heartwarming experience," he said. "It sort of defrays the cynicism that builds up over time. And as I told Mrs. Nester, it was nice to see that there were still a few nice people in the world after all."

I couldn't agree with you more. I've always said that a business is only as good as its employees, and with employees like Mr. Turner, the shipyard is first-rate.

Contact Beverly N. Williams with information about good works in your community. Call her at 247-4755 or fax suggestions to 247-4848. Write to Beverly Williams, One Good Turn, Daily Press, 7505 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23607, or send e-mail to bwilliams@dailypress.com